Senior Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has projected India's playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup, which will be played in T20I format this year. The Asia Cup matches will take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28, with eight nations participating.
Shubman Gill was named vice-captain of India's 15-man Asia Cup squad by the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI senior men's selection committee on Tuesday, August 19.
Rahane said he is certain Shubman Gill will open with Abhishek Sharma, despite his desire to see Sanju Samson as one of the openers.
“Shubman is back in the team; I’m sure he is most likely to open with Abhishek Sharma. Personally, I would like to see Sanju Samson in the team because he has done really well. Very confident guy, very good team man. I feel that is a very important thing," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
“Sanju is a great team man, but that’s a very good problem to have for the team management. In my opinion, probably Sanju Samson will sit out, though, as I said, I would like him to play and be in the playing XI. But Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for the team," he added.
Rahane further picked Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh as his pacers, with Kuldeep Yadav as the spin option. Rahane showed excitement at the possibility of seeing Bumrah and Arshdeep operating together for the Indian team.
“I’m really excited to see Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bowling together in this Asia Cup. We don’t want to talk too much about Jasprit Bumrah. We all know how dangerous he is. Arshdeep Singh, a very confident guy, swings the ball both ways. He can bowl straight and wide yorkers as well," said Rahane.
“The 11th player will depend on the wicket because we are playing in Dubai. Depending on the wicket and conditions, either Varun Chakaravarthy or Harshit Rana," he added.
Ajinkya Rahane’s playing XI for India in the Asia Cup 2025:
Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy/Harshit Rana.
